Locals traditionally revered the Andean cat by adorning pelts with symbols of abundance, such as coca leaves, corn cobs, and colorful wool. One is not lucky enough to find such species in the wild and we only come to know from a few museum skins and skulls. The Andean mountain cat might have been ascended from ocelot lineage. The cat is 36 cm (14 in) high at the shoulder and weighs up to 5.5 kg (12 lb). Our vision is the conservation and long-term protection of Andean cat populations and their habitat, in harmony with human communities. The beautiful silvery grey Andean Cat (Leopardus jacobita) is very rare and occurs at low densities in its mountainous habitat of the Andes, South America. Rock piles and boulders are the only type of cover available at such altitudes, making the habitat of the Andean cat naturally fragmented. Very little is known about the rare Andean cat or mountain cat’s habitat. One ESU is the population living in the highlands, from central Peru to northern Argentina and Chile, and the second ESU is the population in the Argentine Patagonian steppe. This terrain is arid, sparsely vegetated, rocky and steep. Andean mountain cats live in Bolivia and southern Peru to northwestern Argentina and northern Chile in the Andean mountain region. Habitat Andean Cats can be found on the dry, rocky slopes of the Andes Mountains in South America. The Andean Mountain Cat is the most endangered small wild cat of America. The tip of ears are rounded. They live in the arid, arduous, rocky, and steep environment. There is no record indicating where Andean Cat live in history. 16, 2011) — Once thought to exclusively inhabit its namesake mountain range, the threatened Andean cat -- a house cat-sized feline that resembles a small snow leopard in both appearance and habitat -- also frequents the Patagonian steppe at much lower elevations, according to a new study … Very little is known about this cat and research is difficult in the extreme conditions at high altitudes. This cat is one of about two dozen small wildcat species found around the world. It has a thick warm greyish brown fur with vertical stripes on its upper back, rosette shaped spots on its flanks and bands around the leg and tail. The Andean Mountain Cats live in the upper reaches of the Andean Mountains. Scientists believe that the Andean Mountain Cat lives only in Bolivia, Chile, Peru, and Argentina, in South America. This is because the Andean cat is a more specialized species with a more limited range of resources. Andean cats are only known from the arid to semi-arid regions of the high Andes mountains. There are many fur markets in Buenos Aires where one can find some fresh skins of the Andean mountain cat. The underparts are white but they are covered with dark spots. The Andean cat (Leopardus jacobita), an inhabitant of high-altitude deserts of the central Andes and southern Andean Steppe, is the most endangered cat species in the Americas. Andean cats are often on a target of local people due to superstition. Distribution and habitat The Andean mountain cat lives in the deep of the Andes. One other difficulty in spotting a cat is that it lives in isolated habitats—habitats that are separated by human valleys. Here they will consume hairy armadillos, many rodent species, rabbits, and mountain viscacias. The Andean cat is a mostly nocturnal species, but will also venture out at dusk. It is likely to feed on small birds, mammals, and even lizards. Vegetation consists mainly of small scattered dwarf shrubs and clumps of bunch grass, with numerous rocks and boulders. It is one of only two felids for which no subspecies have been classically described (the Bay Cat is the other). The Andean cat is apparently very specialized in its habitat requirements. Our vision is the conservation and long-term protection of Andean cat populations and their habitat, in harmony with human communities. There is a great overlap of available resources and territory between Andean cats and pampas cats. It can be found only in the Andean mountains where it inhabits rocky terrains with sparse vegetation. The Andean mountain cat is protected from illegal commercial hunting in Peru and Chile. Its home range is huge, covering the high elevations from central Peru, through Bolivia, straddling eastern Chile and stretching into the Northern Patagonia region of Argentina. There are still many unknown aspects regarding the genetics of the species. This terrain is arid, sparsely vegetated, rocky and steep. One is not lucky enough to find such species in the wild and we only come to know from a few museum skins and skulls. The felines also prefer high-elevation treeless habitat, where the conditions stay very dry, windy, and cold. It inhabits a rather harsh, cold and barren landscape in the Andes Mountains at around 4,000 meters above sea level. In the map on the right, the area is highlighted in red and outlined by a blue line. The Andean mountain cats of the altiplano mountain will fancy their chances to feed on a wide variety of live animal prey. The Andean Mountain Cat is classified as Endangered (EN) by the … One place where Andean cat lives is the Andes Mountains, along the west coast of S. America. Both these species live in mountains. Preferred habitat is normally above timberline at 3000 to 4000 meters. From far off sometimes it gives a look of a young snow leopard for the Andean cat has a long bushy tail (like snow leopard) along with seven dark rings. The primary threat for the Andean Cat isconsidered to be traditional hunting followed by prey reduction and habitat loss and fragmentation. This means even minor environmental modifications can have great impacts on native species. These policies need to respect the realities and cultures of the communities involved. You could find them at high altitudes, between 9800 and 16400 feet above sea level where temperatures are extreme and strong gusts of wind blow continuously. The Andean cat has many names in different local languages. It is completely unknown if there is any type of relationship or partial exchange between these ESUs, and there is no genetic information from recently discovered populations such as those in central Chile. There have only been ten sightings of Andean cats within the last 25 years, making efforts to study them quite challenging. The Andean cat (Leopardus jacobita) is a small feline found in the high Andes of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru, as well as the northern portion of the Patagonian steppe in Argentina. It is known as “titi,â “titimisi,” or “titiphisi” in Aymara, as “achamichi” in Atacameño areas, and as “oskhollo” in Quechua-speaking areas. “In general coloration and coat, these specimens are reminiscent of the Snow Leopard (Uncia),” wrote the taxonomist R. I. Pocock in 1941. Records in Argentina indicate that it lives at elevations from 1,800 m (5,900 ft) in the southern Andes to over 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in Chile, Bolivia and central Peru. Fewer than 2500 individuals are thought to exist. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Andean Cat Alliance (Alianza Gato Andino - AGA) is a network of researchers and conservationists working to study and protect the Andean cat (Leopardus jacobita) and its habitat in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. It's also one of the hardest to find, thanks in large part to its small size, elusive nature and the sheer inaccessibility of its habitat … It is considered the most threatened feline in the Americas and is counted among the five most endangered cats in the world. The Andean cat’s habitat is being altered by an expansion in agriculture including water extraction and growing mining and petroleum industry activity in the South American Highlands and the Patagonian steppe. The body length ranges from 57 to 64 centimetres (22 to 25 inch), the tail length is 41 to 48 cm (16 to 19 inch), the shoulder height is about 36 cm (14 in) and the body weight is 5.5 kilograms (12 lb). Records in Argentina indicate that they live at elevations from 1,800 m (5,900 ft) in the southern Andes to over 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in Chile, Bolivia and central Peru. Would you like to make regular donations? Andean mountain cats occur only at high elevations in the Andes. The Andes Mountain covers Argentina; Bolivia; Chile; Peru, where Andean cats are currently found. The Andean mountain cat is most likely to be found in the barren rocky places of the Andes. No single Andean mountain cat is raised in captivity as a result of which there is no information on its litter size, growth, lifespan, and the development of young. Valleys with patchily distributed rock walls are the preferred habitat. The Andean Mountain Cat also lives at al… Such vegetation sustains the prey of Andean cats. The Andean cat is found in the Andes of South America. Steep cliffs transition into predominantly flat terrain, providing shelter not only to the Andean cat but many other animals. It lives on the altitude of 11.500 to 15.700 feet. It shares its habitat with the pampas cat (Leopardus colocolo), another feline of similar size but of wider distribution and with which it is occasionally confused. This is the only way we know that the cat has not gone extinct. A professional writer and a passionate wildlife enthusiast, who is mostly found hooked to his laptop or in libraries researching about the wildlife. They have a black nose. There have also been sightings of the cat at lower altitudes in the Mendoza province of Argentina. According to the fact, the cat lives at the height from 1,800 m (5,900 ft) along the southern Andes to over 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and central Peru. The Andean cat (aka Andean mountain cat) is a small, attractive wildcat with a tabby coat and long tail. Andean Mountain Cat Facts | Cat’s Habitat, Diet, Distribution. The population in the Salar de Surire Natural Monument was estimated at five individuals in an area of 250 km (97 sq mi). It has a fairly soft coat with the length of 40 mm on the back and 35 mm on its tail. It has been found in the arid and semi-arid sparsely vegetated areas of the high Andes above the timberline at an average elevation of 4,236 m in Argentina, above 3,800 in Bolivia and between 3,714 and 4,414 m in … The Species and Its Habitat The Andean cat (Leopardus jacobita) is a small feline found in the high Andes of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru, as well as the northern portion of the Patagonian steppe in Argentina. The habitat of the Andean cat is … Their habitat is very specialized, as they live only in the arid to semi-arid areas high up in the Andes Mountains. (including this payment) *. There is not much known about the feeding behavior of Andean mountain cats. The habitat of the Andean cat This wild cat lives in arid, rocky, sparsely vegetated environments and near water sources. Because these rocky patches are not continuous and have dry conditions, the Andean cat and its prey live in a highly fragile ecosystem. Size and Appearance: The Andean Mountain Cat is a small but sturdy cat with long soft fur, which is a pale silvery gray in color. The species has very low population density, and it is estimated that throughout its distribution range there are fewer than 1,400 adult individuals. In 2008 we coordinated with six communities located at the south east of the Ausangate glacier, to create conservation areas in their territories, taking the Andean cat and wetlands as the main conservation objectives. These rocky landscapes aren’t continuous. The Andean mountain cat (Leopardus jacobita) is arguably one of the least understood cats in South America and probably for a very good reason. Diet Andean Cats feed on rodents, reptiles, birds and rabbits. The Andean cats rely almost exclusively on viscacia. The combination of all these ecological, geographical, environmental, and social factors results in the need for innovative strategies that foster participatory projects that are globally scalable, but have local applicability. The cat is listed as endangered species by IUCN. It is considered the most threatened feline in the Americas and is counted among the five most endangered cats in the world. With their habitat isolated in the high desert of the Andes, land conservation is critical to the survival of their species. It’s range extends over the following countries: Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Distribution and habitat. Rock piles and boulders are the only type of cover available at such altitudes and are also important for its main prey species. They live above the timberline at altitudes between 3,000 and 5,000 m (9,840 - 16,400ft). The Andean mountain cat often reminds us of a large house cat with a long dense fur. Rare Andean Cat No Longer Exclusive to the Andes ScienceDaily (Mar. The Andean mountain cat is rarely found in the wild for it has a limited distribution. This represents a challenge when developing conservation strategies, as they have historically been limited by the borders that separate these countries. The head-and-body length of Andean cat is 57.7 to 85 cm (22.7 to 33.5 in) along with a 41.3 to 48.5 cm (16.3 to 19.1 in) long bushy tail. There are unique lines at the sides of the Andean cat’s eyes. The Patagonian Andean cat is a new population of Andean cats that was previsouly only known from the Andean puna, was discovered in 2008 by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Today, these ancient skins are still used in some ceremonies for marking camelid livestock or at the beginning of the planting and harvest seasons. The cat is small and sturdy with a long fuzzy tail. Scientists have obtained many mountain cats’ specimen at a height of 3,000 meters some of which are collected at 5,100 meters (in Peru). Unique among the specimen was the one found at a height of 4,250 meters in the mountainous plateau, altiplano in Argentina. Sadly, due to mining, hunting, and unregulated tourism, the Andean cat population is rapidly decreasing—with estimates of fewer than 2,800 remaining today. The loss of even a few individuals from the mountain cat’s small population could be disastrous. The Andean Mountain Cat is a small wildcat. The small Andean cats — not much bigger than a house cat — are only found in the rocky arid and semi arid zones of the Andes where valleys of patchily distributed rock walls are the preferred habitat. Additionally, its distribution is likely to be further localized by the patchy nature of colonies of the preferred prey. This shows that cat lives at elevated regions being dominated by barren expanse of rocks having very little bushes or scattered clumps of grass. The cat is a very close relative of kodkod. The mountain cat’s habitat is not always without vegetation. They supplement their diet with some ground-dwelling birds including earth creepers, geese, ducks, seed snipes, and few wading birds. Researchers believe that wild population of Andean cats does not exceed 2.500 animals. The Andean cat is the most endangered cat in the Americas and one of the top five most endangered cats in the world. Historically, the native communities that coexist with the Andean cat have recognized it as a symbol of fertility linked to the spirit of the mountains. They credit the sacred cat of the Andes with the prosperity of livestock and plentiful agricultural yields. Its primary prey is viscacahs; rodents related to chinchillas. If you’re lucky enough to spot one you may find it in the high Andes of southern Peru, northeastern Chile, northern Argentina, and southwestern Bolivia. Info de Contacto Jenner 192, Villa Carlos Paz, Córdoba, Argentina, CP 5152 aga-info@gatoandino.org Photos by Jim Sanderson, Urban D. Mueller, and Gato Andino. Those areas it prefers to inhabit are also quite often fragmented by the presence of frequent deep valleys. Threats to this rare species include illegal hunting for its fur and habitat fragmentation. Taxonomists believe that the cat’s distribution might have coincided with chinchilla (critically endangered rodent) and for the fact chinchilla was hunted for its fur (at the beginning of 20. The cat’s coat is pale silvery grey with some blackish or brownish markings on it. There is some scattered green vegetation that is composed of cushion plants, little flowering plants, cold-hardy grasses, and a few isolated shrubs. How many times would you like this to recur? The current distribution of the Andean cat spans four countries that are culturally, economically, and socially diverse, each with a unique perspective about designing local conservation policies. Although the cat is too rare to hunt yet some natives know precisely where these animals are found and they hunt cats for its beautiful fur. Andean Mountain Cat The Andean mountain cat is a small wild cat that lives in the Andes mountains of Peru, Bolivia, Northern Chile and northwestern Argentina. This habitat is primarily very rocky with scattered bunchgrass, tola bushes, and other small shrubs (Parastrephia phylicaeformis, Tetraglochin alatum, Nassauvia azillaris). The Andean Cat Alliance (Alianza Gato Andino or "AGA") protects one of the rarest and most elusive cat species in the world, the Andean cat. In order to transcend the geographical limitations imposed by international borders, we develop multinational programs that identify, develop, and improve diverse tools that can then be adjusted to the needs of each community involved. The habitat climate at that height was below 0. In comparison to their larger cousins which may have millions of dollars dedicated to … It is believed to have diverged from ocelots some 5.3 million years ago. Raccoon Facts: Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior, First Horse Starter Kit – Equipment That You Need to Ride, Common Health Issues With Horses To Know The Signs Of, Facts About Dinosaurs For Kids | Dinosaurs Diet & Habitat, Endangered Animals List For Kids | Top 10 Endangered Animals. ), a rodent that resembles a rabbit. It needs large areas to live in, with the habitat of some males reaching the size of 5,000 soccer fields. The Andean cats are specialized in their habitat requirements, having been found in the rocky arid and semi arid zones of the Andes. It is striped irregularly with brown or orangy markings down the sides from the back, with dark gray bars across the chest and forelegs. The environments where Andean cats live are arid and feature extreme temperatures, scarce vegetation, and rocky landscapes. This project is the result of a research conducted on the Andean Cat and its habitat since 2003 in Cusco Region. Studies reveal that the Andean cat has low genetic diversity, identifying two different populations that should be considered as two Evolutionary Significant Units (ESUs), separated by more than 200,000 years of evolution. The Andean cat and its prey share the rocky patches that are in close proximity to water, making food easy to find; including its favorite prey, the mountain vizcacha (Lagidium spp. Andean cat is one of the rarest species of wild cats in the world. 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